Initially an understudy for Scottish international Rab Macfarlane, he gained a regular place in 1903–04 and never looked back.
The Football League refused to sanction his benefit later, on the grounds that those years during the war did not count towards his Middlesbrough service.
On retirement, he was paid a sum of £1000, as well as a silver tea and coffee service from Middlesbrough chairman Philip Bach.
Not interested in watching football, he spent his free time playing golf and taking his sporting gun to Teesmouth.
He died on 1 August 1943 at North Ormesby Hospital following an operation, and is buried in Coatham Churchyard.